Location: Coimbra
Top Things to do in Coimbra
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Things to do in Coimbra, Central Portugal: The Best Specialty Museums
Coimbra (Portuguese pronunciation: [kuˈĩbɾɐ, ˈkwĩbɾɐ]; Proto-Celtic: *Corumbriga)) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. The population at the 2011 census was 143,397, in an area of 319.40 square kilometres (123.3 sq mi). The fourth-largest urban centre in Portugal (after Lisbon, Porto, Braga), it is the largest city of the district of Coimbra, the Centro region and the Baixo Mondego subregion. About 460,000 people live in the Região de Coimbra, comprising 19 municipalities and extending into an area 4,336 square kilometres (1,674 sq mi).
Restaurants in Coimbra
1. Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 654 reviews
Reviewed By DutchBrother - Boston, United States
This is such an amazing museum one wonders why it is not better known. It is a very odd mixture of art, architecture and history. The bottom two floors are an excavated, Roman forum from 2000 years ago. The museum is built on top on the Roman forum because it is housed in a palace that was built on the Roman ruins. I have no idea how they were able to excavate the Roman ruins with a building on top of it, but it is amazing. The forum has two levels of similar sized rooms, at least 20 or 30 rooms plus long halls. It is like a maze. The main museum is three floors above the Roman ruins. It has an excellent collection of sculptures over many centuries, with excellent collections from the 15th and 16th centuries. There is a sublime collection of medieval and more recent metal work. There are some very fine religious paintings and some decorative arts including tapestries. Much of the art was not familiar to me. We were entranced. There is also a nice cafe with seating on the outdoor terrace. It mainly has drinks and snacks. It has great views over the city. We spent two hours here and felt like we could have spent more. It's that good.
2. Misericordia de Coimbra Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
The Misericordia de Coimbra Museum opened its doors to the public on the 12 of September 2000, during the commemorations of the 500 years of the founding of the Misericordia of Coimbra, by order of king Manuel I. The museum occupies part of the former College of Wisdom, an university college that belonged to the Order of the Regular Canons of Saint Augustin. The building was constructed between 1593 and 1604, in manneirist style, according to the project of the italian architect Filipe Terzi. The building is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
3. Museu da Ciencia
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By 175jessek - Madison, United States
I loved this museum! Cabinets full of shells and odd stuffed animals. Look at the pictures on line and you will know instantly if this is for you. To me, it was a time machine into the past, the beginnings of biology, zoology and chemistry. You get a ticket to see this museum (two museums really--a smaller one that is chemistry, a larger one for biology and zoology across the street) with your entrance to the University of Coimbra (library etc) so it is well worth doing! And there is a lovely little cafe with a terrace on the side of the museum that is great for lunch--salads etc. Peaceful. Reasonably priced!
4. Museu de Zoologia
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 12 reviews
5. Water Museum
6. Museu Academico / Academic Museum
7. Prisao Academica
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By luissousacunha - Tbilisi, Georgia
a 2 cell prison from the time that the University had own court. A perfect add-on if visiting Biblioteca Joanina.
8. Museo Del Agua
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
